Music Education |
Music education students are qualified to become music educators, certified to teach in K-12 school music programs. A comprehensive foundation in music theory, history, and piano, as well as intensive instruction in the major performance area in the form of private lessons and small and large ensemble participation is provided. Methods courses present the future music educator opportunities for intensive instruction in contemporary learning theory, planning, organization and presentation. The degree program concludes with the Senior Capstone experience of student teaching.
Students choose from 2 tracks of study according to their interests: choral/general music or instrumental/general music. Although qualified by their Drake degree and the State of Iowa to teach in any area of music, graduates usually select a position in the area of their greatest expertise.
DEGREE OPTIONS
Bachelor of Music Education
PROGRAM SIZE
Approximately 65 students are enrolled in the major. Average class size in the music education major is 10 students.
FACULTY
The Music Department includes 17 full time faculty members, with 5 devoting all or a part of their time to music education. All full-time faculty are engaged in teaching classes from the introductory to advanced levels.
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
Students should have intensive experiences in music study and performance in order to be eligible for consideration. Students are selected for admission by the music faculty through an audition/interview process.
REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES FOR A MAJOR
The music education program includes 3 major components: music courses, education courses, and the Drake Curriculum.
During their sophomore year, most undergraduates enroll in education courses and apply for admission to teacher education. They complete their endorsement area program and educational methods courses during the junior and senior years and complete the professional semester during the senior year.
| Instrumental/General Coursework: | Choral/General Classroom Coursework: | |||
| Applied Major Instrument (private lessons) |
14 hrs. |
Applied Major Instrument (private lessons) |
14 hrs. | |
| Piano class or Minor Instrument |
4 hrs. |
Piano class or Minor Instrument |
4 hrs. | |
| Musicianship (music theory and history) |
28 hrs. |
Musicianship (music theory and history) |
28 hrs. | |
| Music Methods |
7 hrs. |
Music Methods |
8 hrs. | |
| Music Education |
12 hrs. |
Music Education |
8 hrs. | |
| General Education |
26 hrs. |
General Education |
26 hrs. | |
| Ensemble |
7 hrs. |
Ensemble |
7 hrs. | |
| Education Courses |
24 hrs. |
Education Courses |
24 hrs. | |
| Free Elective |
2 hrs. |
Free Elective |
2 hrs. | |
The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.
The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES/INTERNSHIPS
In their sophomore year, music education students complete a 60-hour practicum in 2 schools, under the guidance of master teachers. Additional field experience in methods courses prepares students for their capstone experience, student teaching. During their senior year, students spend 15 weeks in the classrooms of local schools, under the mentorship of a master teacher.
Paid positions and volunteer experiences are available throughout the community.
CAREER OPTIONS
The music education program prepares students to teach music in K-12 schools.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Information about scholarships in the Music Department may be obtained in the Music Department office.
ORGANIZATIONS
Music education students participate most intensively in the broad performance and social opportunities available in the Music Department.
Visit the Music Department website
